Bulgaria and Romania Set to Fully Join Schengen Area by 2025
As of March this year, Bulgaria and Romania have seen a significant reduction in border controls across the air and sea borders of the Schengen Area. The recent decision by the interior ministers of the 27 EU member states, made this Thursday in Brussels, extends this freedom to land borders, paving the way for both countries to fully join the Schengen Area by 2025.
The Schengen Area, which includes a total of 29 countries, provides for passport-free travel across member state borders, greatly facilitating movement for millions of people. Alongside EU nations such as Germany and France, the area also encompasses non-EU countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Bulgaria and Romania, both of which have been EU members since 2007, have faced previous opposition to their Schengen accession. Austria had notably voiced concerns regarding potential migrant influxes through these countries, which had stalled the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the zone for years. However, recent developments have shifted Austria's stance, bolstered by stronger protections along the external borders of the Schengen Area.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner pointed to a marked decrease in illegal immigration as a key factor in this change of heart. "Before the Schengen veto, we registered around 70,000 illegal border crossings from Romania and Bulgaria; this year, that number has dropped to just 4,000," Minister Karner stated, highlighting the effectiveness of the enhanced border measures.
This reduction in illegal crossings demonstrates the success of the new border policies aimed at preventing unauthorized migration while satisfying Austria’s earlier apprehensions. With ongoing efforts to strengthen external border controls, Bulgaria and Romania’s admission into the Schengen Area seems increasingly assured, promising further integration into the European community.
As the countries prepare for their eventual full integration, the implications for travel, trade, and regional stability are substantial. By 2025, the accession is expected to cultivate a more unified European experience, allowing citizens and businesses in Bulgaria and Romania to benefit from the advantages of Schengen membership along with their EU counterparts.
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